Almost half of Irish parents think that a distinctive rash is the first symptom of meningitis, however in reality, this often appears after other symptoms, and sometimes does not appear at all, a new survey has found.

The survey of 700 parents was carried out on behalf of the ‘Tackle Meningitis' campaign and it found that while almost all parents are concerned about this disease, awareness of the signs and symptoms is low.

There also appears to be a lack of knowledge about how meningitis is contracted, how many strains of the disease there are and what age groups are most at risk.

Meningitis refers to an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It can be extremely serious if not treated quickly, with the potential to cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia), permanent damage to the brain or nerves, loss of limbs and in some cases, death.

In its early stages, it can be difficult to tell meningitis and septicaemia apart from other, milder diseases, as they often resemble common viral illnesses. Common symptoms can include a high temperature, skin shivering, cold hands and feet, food refusal, vomiting, unusual crying or moaning when picked up, blotchy skin that gets paler or turns blue, fast breathing and a rash anywhere on the body.

There are several types (strains) of meningococcal bacteria with the main groups being A, B, C, W, X, and Y, and all can be fatal.

The campaign is supported by Irish rugby captain, Rory Best, and former England rugby player, Matt Dawson, whose son, Sami, previously contracted the disease at the age of three.

He remained critically ill on a life-support machine for two weeks, but has now thankfully recovered.

"I wish I had known more about meningitis and what to look out for. People only think of the glass test, but there are other lesser known symptoms that it's very important to be aware of. In truth, I was fairly ignorant about how dangerous it can be, but thankfully we turned out to be incredibly lucky. With this disease, even a matter of minutes can make a huge difference to the outcome," Mr Dawson explained.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the disease, including how to spot symptoms. It also wants to raise awareness that while no single vaccine can protect from all strains of meningitis, there are vaccines available to prevent the B and C strains, which are responsible for the majority of meningitis cases in Ireland.

Both of these vaccines are offered as part of the National Immunisation Programme.

"Meningitis is a devastating disease that can kill or cause disability in a matter of hours. Among those most at risk are babies, children and young people, but anyone can be affected. Knowing the signs, symptoms and steps to take is crucial in order to act fast and improve outcomes.

"The narrow time window for diagnosis of meningitis and the absence of effective vaccines for all strains of the disease means that it is essential for parents, carers and health professionals to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Our hope is that campaigns like Tackle Meningitis will help to ensure that all parents are aware of meningitis and septicaemia and know when to seek medical help," commented Caroline Krieger of the Ireland and UK charity, the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Meanwhile, according to Siobhan Carroll, CEO of ACT for Meningitis, it is essential that parents and caregivers can recognise the early symptoms of meningitis.

"We know how important the awareness message is, having distributed over 200,000 free signs and symptoms cards to date, which provide clear and accurate information for more people than ever before. As parents like Matt Dawson have found, the early symptoms of the disease can be overlooked and in some cases, this may have devastating consequences," she said.

Ms Carroll and her husband, Noel, set up ACT for Meningitis in 2011, after losing their four-year-old daughter, Aoibhe, to the disease. The organisation offers a range of support services to families affected by meningitis, including counselling, play therapy, physiotherapy and family support days.

The Tackle Meningitis campaign was launched by GSK.

If you suspect someone may have meningitis or septicaemia, you should seek medical help immediately.

For more information on the Meningitis Research Foundation, click here

For more information on ACT for Meningitis, click here